The Memo

#287: Former JonBenet Ramsey murder suspect seeks new life in Aberdeen – 11/15/17

A former suspect in the highly publicized murder of Colorado beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey is looking to make a new home in Aberdeen.

John Mark Karr was arrested in 2006 in connection to the 1996 murder of JonBenet. Karr was later cleared by federal authorities and eventually underwent sex reassignment surgery and changed names to Alex Reich. Reich moved to Aberdeen in August, seeking a simpler life.

Monroe Journal reporters Ray Van Dusen and Emily Paul recently sat down with Reich for an extensive interview and wrote about her story in the Monroe Journal and the Daily Journal. Ray and Emily (11:39) join us on today’s episode to share more of that story.

Also on today’s episode, Bobby Harrison (4:08) joins hosts Emma Kent and Derek Russell to talk about the pending opening of two new museums in Jackson.

The Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum are scheduled to open on Dec. 9 as part of the Mississippi bicentennial celebration. The state spent $90 million on the facility that will house both museums, and organizers made a concerted effort to ensure the entire state was represented. That means many items from Northeast Mississippi can be found at both museums.

Bobby discusses what he saw on his tour of the facility and about the impact he thinks it will have on the state.